Danger of 'hidden' salt

Consumers were today being warned about the dangers of salt "hidden" in the food we eat.

Too much salt in our diet has been linked to higher than average blood pressure, which may lead to an increased risk of heart disease or a stroke.

The issue is due to be addressed during National Salt Awareness Day, an initiative organised by the charity Consensus Action on Salt and Health (Cash).

Events include a meeting at the House of Commons at which Melanie Johnson, Public Health Minister, Sir John Krebs, chair of the Food Standards Agency (FSA), and Deirdre Hutton, chair of the National Consumer Council are due to speak.

Cash is particularly concerned about salt contained in processed food and has called on manufacturers to do more to tackle the issue.

Around three-quarters of all the salt consumed is contained in processed foods, ranging from bread

and breakfast cereals to bacon and stock cubes.

The amount added to food at home accounts for a small percentage.

The FSA recommends adults and children over the age of 11 consume no more than six grams of salt a day.

However, studies show consumption for men has increased from 10.1g a day in 1987 to 11g in 2001, while for women it has gone from 7.7g a day to 8.1g.

In May last year the FSA published the first salt intake levels for children after research found youngsters' diets often contain more than the recommended limit.

Professor Graham MacGregor, chair of Cash, said: "The weapons of mass destruction in this country are salt, fat and sugar. They kill hundreds of thousands of people a year prematurely."

Margaret Goose, chief executive of The Stroke Association, said: "Most people are not aware that food such as bread, biscuits and cereal contain large amounts of salt, as do soups and ready-made meals.

"This 'hidden salt' means that people might be unaware of the amount of salt they are actually eating, and the risks they are putting themselves at from suffering a stroke as a result."